From Hip-Hop Beats to Fabric Dreams
Hey, I’m Zowie, 24, born and raised in Eindhoven, and the guy behind AR-T Streetwear. Honestly, if you’d told me a few years ago that I’d be running a streetwear label inspired by classical art, I wouldn’t have believed you.
I’ve always been a creative type. Back in the day, I was all about music, playing drums, then making hip-hop beats and selling them to artists around the globe. That experience shaped me. It taught me to trust my gut, stay persistent, and look for emotion in everything I create. That same love for storytelling found a new home when I discovered streetwear.
The Birth of AR-T: A Class Project That Took Over My Life
AR-T started as a uni project, just a free elective where I could work on whatever I wanted. I chose fashion, not because I had some big plan, but because it just felt right. I was supposed to spend 80 hours on it. I clocked that in two weeks. I couldn’t stop.
At first, it felt like I was just experimenting, blending visuals, textures, and references that I loved. But when I started showing my early stuff to friends and family, their reactions were way beyond what I expected. That’s when I realized this wasn’t just a project. It was something bigger. AR-T started to evolve into a voice, a platform for mixing tradition with innovation.
Why Mix Art with Streetwear?
It all began with an idea I had with a friend: use AR (augmented reality) in fashion. We thought about pitching it to big brands. But we quickly hit a wall, why would anyone listen to two guys without a portfolio?
So, I decided to build something real, something that shows what’s possible when classical art meets streetwear. That’s what AR-T is all about. Breathing new life into masterpieces, remixing history with technology, and turning stories from the past into something wearable.
I’ve always felt there’s something magical about classical art. It holds emotion, depth, and mystery. Pieces by Van Gogh or Monet weren't created for trends; they were created with feeling, often in isolation, with intention. My mission with AR-T is to give that kind of art a place in today's world, not just on walls, but in daily life.
My Process: Messy, Honest, Creative
Ideas hit me anytime, walking, eating, even mid-convo. I write them down quickly, then let them stew. Later, I sit down, sketch, explore Pinterest, play with AI, and mix the old with the new. Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop are my go-to tools.
My creative process isn’t clean or perfect, it’s very instinct-driven. Sometimes I start by deconstructing an old artwork and imagining it in a streetwear context. Other times, I build visuals from scratch using AI, inspired by artistic movements or techniques like pointillism, expressionism, or impressionism.
I always share my rough drafts with people I trust. If they connect with it emotionally, that’s the green light. Then I start experimenting with layouts, placements, and how a piece will sit on fabric. It’s about balance between concept, composition, and comfort.
A Brand with Substance
I didn’t want AR-T to be just another clothing brand with loud prints and no depth. I care about how we create. That’s why I use 100% organic, fair-trade cotton. My prints are made with eco-friendly ink. Packaging? Plastic-free.
That stuff matters. I’m not perfect, and AR-T isn’t either. But every choice, from the tags to the way we pack orders, is intentional. I want people to feel proud not just wearing AR-T, but supporting it. In a world flooded with fast fashion, we need alternatives that stand for something.
Solo Hustle, Supported by Community
Running AR-T as a solo founder has taught me more than any class ever could. Branding, marketing, packaging, production, customer service, I’m involved in every part of it. That can be overwhelming at times.
But I’ve been lucky to have people around me who believe in what I’m building. My friends and family always give honest feedback, help with content, pack orders, or simply listen when I need to vent. AR-T may be a one-man brand, but it’s powered by an entire community.
What’s Next?
There’s so much I’m working on. New collections are on the way, pieces that go beyond tees and dive into new textures and silhouettes. Hoodies, jackets, maybe even asseccoires. Every new drop brings new challenges, but also new chances to innovate.
I’m also thinking about collaborations with local artists, brands, and even galleries. AR-T could be more than fashion, it could be a bridge between creative worlds. Eventually, I’d love to see AR-T stocked in concept stores and museum gift shops. Imagine buying a piece that reinterprets a Rembrandt after walking through the Rijksmuseum.
Eindhoven, Van Gogh, and My Favourite Piece
Eindhoven is my heartbeat. It’s where I’m from, where I study, where I create. The city breathes design and innovation, and being surrounded by that energy pushes me daily.
Van Gogh has always been close to me, not just as an artist, but as a fellow Brabander. His struggle, his vision, his technique, all of it resonates. And then there’s Monet, one of my favorite upcoming AR-T designs from Collection Two, based on his Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies. I reimagined it with a streetwear twist, and it’s probably the most meditative piece I’ve worked on. I can’t wait to drop it.
It’s More Than Just Fashion
For me, AR-T is a love letter to art, culture, and identity. It’s a way to say: we don’t have to choose between old and new, between heritage and hype. We can have both. And we can make it meaningful.
I want people to wear AR-T and feel connected, to themselves, to history, to the streets they walk. That’s the goal. Not just to look good, but to feel something real.
Thanks for reading my story. If you’re into creative streetwear with depth, soul, and a fresh take on tradition, welcome to the AR-T world.